The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-06

me have our breakfast and Won arrST-
ward. or you fust? Say the word. I'm
agreeable vichever way it goes"
I'm stop on deck till you've done, "
l replied, wishing to have the table to
myself.
Down he went and l leaned over the
poop rail to watch the men receive
their share of the cuddy stores. They
were decent enough in their behavior
entering the cuddy one by one to re-
ceive the stores which the steward was
serving out.
The food consisted of butter, white
biscuit, rasher of ham to each man
and tea or cocoa; excellent fare to men
who had been starved on rotten pro-
visions. l also found that each man
had been served with glass of rum.
The carpenter was the first to come
on deck. l had seen him Through the
skylight) eating like a cOrmorant, his
arms squared, his brown tattooed
hands busy with his mouth, making
atonement for his long fast in the fore
castle. He kept his cap on, but the
boatswain had better manners, and
looked, as he faced his mate, quite
superior and different order of man
altogether.
As soon as Twas alone with the boat
swain | said to him: What has
Stevens been talking about?' As
said this l cast my eyes on the open
skylight to see that our friend was not
within hearing.
He shook his head, and after a short
pause exclaimed:
Hes bad un! he's bad 'un! he's
an out-and-Outerr'
''Do You know which of them struck
the captain DOWN.
''He did, he answered, at once.
Il could have sworn it, by the way
in which he excused the murderer
.Stevens," continued the boatswain,
sis at the bottom of all this here bust
ness-him and the cook. | suppose he
didn't want the cook for chum, and
so knocked him over when he was 90
ing to operate on Duckling's body.
But Duckling was bad 'un, too, and
so was the skipper. They've got to
thank themselves for what they got.
The crew never would ha' turned had
they been properly fed. y
Il believe that" | said. But III
tell you what's troubling me. boat
swain. The carpenter has some design
behind all this. which he Is conceal
ing. Does he really mean that should
navigate to within fifty miles of New
Orleans?"
"Yes, sir, he do" answered the
bOatswain, regarding me steadfastly.
"And he means then to heave the ship
to, lower away the boats, and make
for one of the mouths of the MISSISSIPPI
pi, or land upon some part of the coast
and represent himself and his compan-
ions as caStaway SailorS?'
Quite right" said the boatswain,
watching me tiXedlY.
If that is really his Intention" l
proceeded, Il can not believe that he
will allow me TO land with the others.
He diStrusts me. He is as suspicious
as all murderers are"
The boatswain continued cycling me
as 4 man might who strives to
form resolution from the expression
in another face.
HE means to scuttle the Ship" he
said, IN low voice.
"Ahr' l exclaimed. starting. al
should have foreSeen this"
He means to scuttle her Just before
he puts off in the boats he added, in
a whisper.
watched him anxiously, for l saw
that he had more to tell me. He
looked up at both skylights, then to-
ward the cuddy door. then toward the
companiOn-ladder bent over to me
and said:
Mr.. Royle. he don't mean to let you
leave the vessel"
He means to scuttlc her, leaving
NE on bOard?"
He nodded.
did he tell you this?"
He nodded again.
"When?"
Just now"
"And them?" l exclaimed, pointing
toward the cabin in which were Mr..
Robertson and his daughter.
They'll be left, too" he replied.
took a'deep breath and closed the |
lnife and fork on my plate.
Now, then, mattel" bawled the car
Denter's voice down. the companion;
''how long are you goin' to be?"
Coming" answered the boatswain. |
A thought had flashed upon me.
There must be others in this ship |
whom Stevens distrusts as well as me-"
whispered. "Who are they? Give me
out two other men and yourself, and
I'll engage that the ship will be ours! :
Seei if these men whom he distrusts
could be told that, at the last moment.
hey would be left to sink in scuttled
ship, they would come over to my side
% save their lives. How are they to
De got at?'
He shook his head without speaking,
md left the table. but turned to say:
Don't be in hurry. I've got two
hours afore me, and I'll turn it over"
lie then went on deck.
| went into the captains cabin and
Ocked the door and plunged into deep
md bitter reelection. The revelation
If the carpenters purpose was 4 SUR
rise. Villain though l knew him to
De, had not deemed him base enough
o plan the murder of myself and the
persons on board the ship.
The case seemed hopeless. 1 could
hardly expect the bOatswain 10 sacrifice
lis life in an effort to contend against
he entire crew. The steward was n
miserable coward more likely to be a
linGrance than a help. | had already
'Ointed out the course the ship was to
teer and could not alter it. The truth
; l was utterly at my wits end. BY
uch 4 confession l show myself no
zero; but then | do not wish to be
hougEt one. In the darkness and nor
or Of that hour saw no way of escape
nd 50 | admit my Kindness